A melodrama is a literary text, often a work of fiction, that grounds its events in heightened emotion. The goal of a melodrama is to evoke a strong response from the reader. Melodramas typically do not explore their characters in depth, but rather assign them stereotypical or “stock” traits in simplistic good-versus-evil conflicts. The Old Curiosity Shop has strong elements of melodrama, especially in scenes like Nell’s grandfather’s confession in London, Nell’s fainting in the manufacturing town when she reunites with the schoolmaster, and (most notably) Nell’s death at the novel’s conclusion.

Melodramas also tend to put their characters through extreme loss or hardship that they must overcome before reaching a happy ending—or, at least, the happiest ending available to them. Nell and her grandfather’s life contains tremendous hardship, including and especially on their pilgrimage. Kit faces many hardships of his own in London, and he is able to secure the happiest ending of all: He is freed from his incarceration, finds Nell at last, and goes on to marry, have children, and live a long life.

The melodrama of The Old Curiosity Shop reflects its debt to the sentimental novels of the 18th century. Literature of this sort accomplishes its effects by scenes of intense feeling and

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